The Irish Times reports that Europe only has six weeks’ supply of jet fuel, while the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that even if the conflict comes to an end it could take “up to two years to come back where we were before the war.”

Households, meanwhile, could face higher electricity bills from as early as next month. Electricity prices are closely tied to natural gas, which almost doubled in March, and is used to generate about half the power used in the country. International markets remain, however, cautiously optimistic, but expecting "substantial corrections in global stocks" should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed.

The Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has heard that a utility provider has sought to cut off the gas supply to a school that owes thousands of euro in arrears. Reflecting on last week's blockades, Stephen Collins quotes Machiavelli as he cautions on the likelihood of future challenges to the State's authority.

Elsewhere, tomorrow promises to be an exciting day for data nerds, history buffs and family tree enthusiasts as the National Archives of Ireland (NAI) release the 1926 census records.

Two of my favourite artists revealed their collaborative efforts this week. Boots on the Ground marks a rare new release for both Massive Attack and Tom Waits, with a video featuring the work of documentary photographer thefinaleye. It's as dark and brooding as you might expect. In his review, Alexis Petridis summarises: "...it is dark, disturbing, ominous, with a distinct streak of WTF? running through it. Which makes it music perfectly fitting for the times."

Have a lovely weekend.

NS